Cameron-Hopoate back on

Photo: Ray Wheatley

By Ray Wheatley–World of Boxing

Former world heavyweight contender Shane Cameron (23-2, 20 KOs) will be in action over twelve rounds against former rugby league bad boy John Hopoate (12-4, 11 KOs) on March 18 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Hopoate had pulled out of the fight but has now changed his mind and will punch it out with the hard hitting Kiwi heavyweight. Cameron’s manager, Ken Reinsfield, said the match-up was back on. “I’ve just had a call and the Australian promoters say that Hopoate wants the fight and it’s back on,” Reinsfield said. “I don’t know whether it’s because I questioned his heart in the weekend papers, or he has been playing mind games, but frankly I don’t care. Hopoate called Shane out some time ago and Shane has answered that call.” Reinsfield said he was simply glad the fight was back on.

“It’s good to see Hopoate has finally manned up and wants to fight.” Both heavyweights suffered losses in Hamilton, New Zealand last October when Cameron suffered a second-round defeat to David Tua, while on the undercard, Hopoate lost his Australian title to Colin Wilson by fourth-round knockout.

Holiday said, “I have trained very hard for this fight on March 18 and I am confident of scoring a win. I would like to challenge my former sparring partner Lovemore Ndou in 2010 for the IBO 147 pound title.”